Animal management students in Grimsby will be able to have first-hand experience of wilder species thanks to new facilities that could prepare them for a career as a zookeeper.

Grimsby Institute's Nunsthorpe campus is now home to a meerkat enclosure, a pair of giant tortoises, rhea and other wonderful creatures.

The new meerkat enclosure was built by the Institute's construction and estate students and is now home to five of the mischievous animals - a breeding pair and their three offspring.

Meet the new animals available to study at the Grimsby Institute animal management courses, based at their Nunsthorpe Campus in Grimsby.

Lee Lister, the associate principal, said: "The course doesn't just offer the theoretical and academic side of animal management - students can also get practical experience with a wide range of different species.

"As they develop, students will focus on not just on feeding and cleaning the animals to look after their welfare, but the behaviour and psychology behind them. This can let them go straight into high-level, high-paying roles when they leave at organisations such as zoos."

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All about animals

Meerkats may look cuddly after being featured in many adverts, but they are fiercely territorial and will attack any of the Institute's other animals which make the mistake of jumping into their enclosure.

The campus is also the new home of two large Sulcata tortoises, who spend much of the day basking in the sun. Although they may look fully grown, they are in fact still young and could quadruple in size.

Lee Lister, associate principal of Grimsby Institute

Learners will also have access to farmyard animals such as goats and sheep, and a cattery which is run in partnership with the Blue Cross.

In the exotic animal section, learners may find themselves looking after parrots, skunks, ferrets and a variety of reptiles or tropical animals.

Reporter Jamie Waller making friends with a skunk.

The two year course is an FdSc (Foundation degree), with the option to specialise in different areas such as veterinary science, marine animals or animal behaviour.

Around 200 full-time students are expected to be enrolled on the course in September.